HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - March 5, 2008 D-02aAGENDA ITEM D'041?&
CITY of LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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AGENDA TITLE: Arbor Day Proclamation
MEETING DATE: March 5,2008
PREPARED BY: Public Works Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Present a proclamation proclaiming Arbor Day in the City of Lodi.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Staff would like to invite the Mayor, the City Council, and the
City Manager, to this year's Arbor Day Celebration. This year's
event will be held on Friday, April 4, 2008, 8:00 a. m. to 10:00 a. m.,
at Vinewood School. Vinewood School students will be planting
trees at the school, participating in a poster contest, and enjoying other associated activities.
This year's celebration is being organized by the Public Works Department and jointly -funded by the
Electric Utility, Community Development, and Parks and Recreation Departments; the Streets and
Drainage Division; Waste Management: Wal-Mart; Lodi Unified School District; and West Coast Arborists,
along with help from Tree Lodi.
Arbor Day's Beginnings
On January4, 1872, Julius Sterling Morton first proposed a tree -planting holiday, to be called "Arbor Day",
at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. The date was set for April 10, 1872. Itwas estimated that
more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day.
Arbor Day was officially proclaimed by Governor RobertW. Furnas on March 12, 1874, and the day itself
was observed April 10, 1874. In 1885, Arbor Daywas named a legal holiday in Nebraska, and April 22nd
Morton's birthday, was selected as the date for its permanent observance. During the 1870s, other states
passed legislation to observe Arbor Day and the tradition began in schools nationwide in 1882. Arbor Day
has now spread beyond the United States and is observed in many countries of the world.
Lodi has been designated as a Tree City USA for a sixth consecutive year. This designation affords us
preference over other communities for grant money for trees or forestry programs and gives us an
enhanced public image as a city that cares about its trees.
In the City cf Lodi, trees are very important. The celebration of Arbor Day gives an opportunity to learn
about trees and take positive action to make the world a better place.
FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable.
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Richard C. Prima, Jr.
Public Works Director
Prepared by GeorgeM. Bradley. Streets and Drainage Manager
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cc: D. Stephen Schwabauer, City Attorney
Steve Dutra. Interim Parks& Recreation Director
Ray Fye. Tree Operations Supervisor
APPROVED: r
Blair King Manager
K:IWPICOUNCIU08LArborDavProclamation.doc 2/25/2008